Behold the Handmaid of the Lord

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary to prepare her for her mission as the mother of the Son of God, he called her “thou that art highly favored of the Lord.”

For us, it’s easy to see that this phrase fits—she must have been incredible to be qualified for this role. Of course she was “highly favored.” But I imagine she felt weak and inadequate, at least at times, and wondered how she could possibly be the person for the job.

And don’t we all have times like that? Times when something we are called to do feels daunting and we feel a little unequal to the task, whether that’s in our motherhood, our career, our calling, or any of the other roles that we play?

There’s a lot to learn from Mary as she’s given this responsibility—things that relate very much to our lives and things that have given me strength and inspiration as I’ve pondered them or in times when I’ve needed added power and perspective.

First, let’s start with that phrase “thou that art highly favored of the Lord.”

She was also called “blessed among women.”

With our modern ears, this can sound like popularity with God. Like she was the chosen and favored above others. Like somehow, she was a favorite child.

But all through the scriptures we see evidence that we do the choosing. We become highly favored of the Lord (like Nephi) when we choose the things the Lord has offered to us—His atonement, His commandments, His power and strength through covenants. This is open to all. All of us can be highly favored or chosen.

Clearly, Mary’s choices and her character allowed Christ’s grace to work in her life and to make her “highly favored” and “blessed among women.”

We see evidence of this in the other words that she spoke while talking with the angel or through little scriptural phrases that give us a glimpse into who she is.  

When, after asking how her pregnancy was even possible because she “[knew] not a man,” the angel told her that “with God nothing shall be impossible.” A beautiful sentiment that we hear repeated often.

And Mary’s response?

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word.”

What complete and utter faith she showed in that moment. Acceptance of the Lord’s will. Complete trust that God would lift and strengthen her in her role. Willingness to do what was asked of her, even when what was being told to her seemed incredible or irrational. She chose faith.

For over a year now, I’ve been getting repeated promptings to “be still and know that I am God.” To trust the Lord completely, to put my burden on the Savior, and to live today and let my worries be carried away in the knowledge that “sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof” and that I don’t need to create more problems for myself by worrying.

In other words, to trust that the things I am doing are in God’s hands and that I can stop trying to control my way out of the problems (which is my inclination).

What if like Mary I could say “behold the handmaid of the Lord” even when things don’t make sense or when I’m worried that it’s not all going to work out? What if I could really believe that “with God nothing shall be impossible” and allowed that to be enough and let my faith rest there?

Mary’s an example to me of that kind of complete trust and willingness, of something I want to be better at. And I’m certain this is part of why she was “highly favored of the Lord.” Because of her trust in Him.

She shows us this again when she says to her cousin Elisabeth, “my soul doth magnify the Lord.”

Mary’s doing an important work at that time, preparing to birth the Savior, but she knows that the glory belongs to God. She goes on to testify more of this as she says things like “my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” and “for he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. (Luke 1)

Here we again see her willingness to do what the Lord asks of her and her ability to recognize the strength, power, and grace that is allowing her to do the work she’s been given. This is what it means to be highly favored. It means know the true source of strength and to turn to Him, to magnify Him, to make Him central to your life.

This is something I continue to work on and want to improve on. But also something that I see happening already in my life. I know that I am highly favored like Mary because I see evidence of the Savior working in my life, giving me added strength and power. I know He’s doing that for you too.